Thank you Mark for writing such a heartfelt tribute to our class. I wish we had another week as well. I’m feeling very sad as it is, today, sitting in an empty classroom, trying to get organized and wondering why I’m not yelling at Gino, you and Taylor to quiet down about the Lakers’ win last night, or admonishing Michael to take off his headphones, or telling people to get on the E-edition and off Facebook (as I give Jenna a look or two) and asking Jess where I put my coffee, and listening to Gwen tell me about the goings-on in “Scary County” or stealing Brittany’s computer right out from under her so I can take attendance, or asking Jasmine to run over to the TU cafeteria to fetch me another cup of coffee because she knows how I like it – - milk no sugar, or admonishing Ben and Meaghan to stay on task, and smiling at Renee because she’s always on task. although sometimes, I wonder…. Sigh. I’m sad.

But, on the other hand….I’m also happy for all of you. You’re ready for college, ready for new adventure and ready for that next chapter of your life (ugh I used a cliche) but I do believe life is a text, and it’s time for new stories. I look forward to hearing about them.